I'm sure all of you have heard by now, the cinematic world lost one of the greats this week. Robin Williams was found dead on Monday, a death that shocked many. A man known for making people laugh, it's hard to know that he struggled with depression himself, a depression that eventually lead to the end of a life that touched many.
Celebrity deaths often make a huge impact; however, as a friend of mine pointed out on Monday, this one holds a very specific kind of pain for many of my generation because, in a way, we grew up with Robin Williams. He was my childhood hero. The genie we all desperately wanted to befriend. The housekeeper that made us laugh and the teacher that made us think. I still remember every word to the "Batty Rap" from Fern Gully and long to play Jumanjii, the scariest board game known to man. And I will never forget watching him in one of my absolute favorite childhood movies, Hook.
For the most part I try to avoid the celebrity craze, but losing Robin Williams feels a little like losing a friend. Or at the very least, a piece of my childhood.
R.I.P. Robin Williams (1951-2014)
And though it didn't stir the media quite the same, I'd like to take a moment to honor Lauren Bacall as well. I was dismayed to learn that she died last night from natural causes. She was a beautiful woman, remembered for her magnificent performances in To Have and Have Not and Key Largo along with her late husband, the great Humphrey Bogart. On a personal note, my parents loved her so much that they actually named me after her. It always made me laugh a little, because she was born Betty Joan Perskey, but my name remains Lauren nevertheless.
These two wonderful actors will surely be missed.
Robin Williams was a huge part of my childhood, as well. So hard to believe he's gone, and for such a tragic reason, too...
ReplyDeleteI grew up on Mork and Mindy, so part of my childhood is now gone. And Bacall was one of the greats.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you mentioned Lauren Bacall-one of the last greats from the golden age of Hollywood and married to one of the greats-Humphrey Bogart. She has been swept under by the sad passing of Robin Williams...another great. He died with so much sadness in his heart and I hope he finds peace now and will be a guardian to his children whom, I hope, do not have the same disease he had. Glad you were named after a beautiful and sultry, intelligent star like Lauren Bacall
ReplyDeleteHis work touched the lives of so many children, which is ironic since his comedy was so blue. Yes S.L. he will leave a hole in many hearts.
ReplyDeleteVery nice tribute. You captured so many of my thoughts so very well. I'd add Mork and Mindy to the list...I live near Boulder.
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
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Lauren Bacall was a legend as well as a lady with class. The likes of her has rarely been seen in our time.
ReplyDeleteWilliams was a diverse talent who will leave a incredible legacy. I'd forgotten all about him being in Jumanji. That's a movie I keep meaning to rewatch. I've got a video cassette of it somewhere.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Two of my favorite Robin Williams' movies, no, make that three, are Awakenings, Patch Adams, and Good Will Hunting. I wrote in my blog how I truly believe he was either in a depressive episode at the time of filming Good Will Hunting or he 100% absolutely knew how to play the role of someone experiencing that darkness, because he had been there. I recently wrote a post about depression because it is something all too familiar to me. It is not an adjective, it is a noun. Good post Lauren and I think it's awesome you were named after the great Bacall. Classic...
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